Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet facts for kids

Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet (born October 6, 1773 – died March 26, 1851) was an important person in British history. He lived at Normanton Park in a place called Rutland. Sir Gilbert was a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. A "Baronet" is a special title, like a knight, that is passed down in a family.

Early Life and Family

Sir Gilbert Heathcote was the son of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 3rd Baronet. His mother was Elizabeth Hudson. When his father passed away in 1785, young Gilbert became the 4th Baronet. This meant he inherited his father's title and responsibilities.

Normanton Park in 1818, a grand home where Sir Gilbert lived.

Sir Gilbert owned a lot of land and property. His main home was Normanton Park. He also had large areas of land near the Grimsthorpe Estate.

Political Career and Public Service

Sir Gilbert Heathcote was involved in public service from a young age. In 1795, he was chosen to be the High Sheriff of Rutland. This was an important local role, like a chief officer for the county.

The next year, in 1796, he was elected to the House of Commons. This is where Members of Parliament meet. He represented Lincolnshire first. He was part of a political group called the Whigs. He served as an MP for Lincolnshire until 1807. Later, from 1812 to 1841, he represented Rutland. This shows he was a Member of Parliament for many years.

Personal Life and Interests

Sir Gilbert Heathcote married Lady Katherine Sophia Manners in 1793. She was the eldest daughter of John Manners and Louisa, Countess of Dysart. After Lady Katherine passed away in 1825, Sir Gilbert married again that same year.

He passed away in March 1851 when he was 77 years old. His son, Gilbert, took over his title. Later, his son Gilbert became a Baron, which is another type of noble title.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote also loved horse racing. For many years, he was a senior steward at Epsom Downs Racecourse. This famous racecourse was very close to his home, The Durdans. His own horse, named Amato, won a very important race called The Derby in 1838. This was a big achievement for him and his horse!